Checking Multiple Files With Statix: Solutions & Workarounds

Aug 12, 2025 by Kenji Nakamura 61 views

`statix check` on Multiple Files: A Discussion

Hey guys! Let's dive into a discussion about using statix check on multiple files. It seems like there's a bit of a snag when trying to run this command on several files at once. Our friend oppiliappan brought up a valid point, and we're here to explore it further. So, grab your favorite beverage, and let's get started!

The Issue: `statix check` and Multiple Files

So, here's the deal. When you try to run statix check on multiple files directly, you might run into an error like this:

❯ statix check default.nix pkgs/st/default.nix
error: Found argument 'pkgs/st/default.nix' which wasn't expected, or isn't valid in this context

USAGE:
    statix check [OPTIONS] [--] [TARGET]

For more information try --help

This error message tells us that statix check isn't designed to handle multiple file paths as arguments. It's expecting either a single file or a directory. Now, oppiliappan knows that you can run statix on multiple files by pointing it to a directory, but that's not the desired approach in this case. So, what's the alternative? Let's dig deeper.

Understanding the Limitation

First, let's understand why this limitation exists. statix is a powerful tool for checking Nix code for style and best practices. It analyzes your code against a set of rules and provides feedback on potential issues. When you run statix on a directory, it recursively traverses the directory structure, checking all Nix files it finds.

However, when you specify multiple files directly, statix doesn't know how to handle this input. It's designed to work with a single target, whether that's a file or a directory. This design choice might be due to the way statix parses arguments or the internal logic of its checking process. Whatever the reason, it's a limitation we need to work around.

Why Check Multiple Files Individually?

Now, you might be wondering, why would you want to check multiple files individually in the first place? There are several valid reasons:

Targeted Checks: Sometimes, you only want to check specific files, not the entire codebase. This can be useful when you're working on a particular feature or module and want to focus your attention on those files.
Incremental Analysis: You might want to check files incrementally as you make changes, rather than running statix on the entire project every time. This can save time and make the feedback loop faster.
Selective Enforcement: You might have different rules or configurations for different parts of your project. Checking files individually allows you to apply the appropriate rules to each file.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

So, if statix check doesn't directly support multiple files, how can we achieve this functionality? Here are a few potential solutions and workarounds:

Scripting with find and xargs: One common approach is to use command-line tools like find and xargs to construct the desired command. For example, you could use find to locate all Nix files in a specific directory and then use xargs to pass those files to statix check. This approach gives you fine-grained control over the files being checked.
```
find . -name "*.nix" | xargs statix check
```
This command finds all files ending with .nix in the current directory and its subdirectories and then passes them as arguments to statix check. However, this might still not work as expected since statix check doesn't accept multiple file arguments.
Looping with for: Another option is to use a for loop in your shell script to iterate over the files and run statix check on each one individually. This is a straightforward approach that works well for a small number of files.
```
for file in default.nix pkgs/st/default.nix; do
  statix check "$file"
done
```
This loop iterates over the specified files and runs statix check on each one. This approach works, but it can be verbose if you have a large number of files.
Creating a Wrapper Script: You could create a wrapper script that takes multiple file paths as arguments and then calls statix check on each file individually. This script could handle the looping and error handling for you, making it easier to use.
```
#!/bin/bash

for file in "$@"; do
  statix check "$file"
done
```
Save this script as statix-check-multiple (or any name you prefer), make it executable (chmod +x statix-check-multiple), and then you can use it like this:
```
./statix-check-multiple default.nix pkgs/st/default.nix
```
This approach provides a clean and reusable solution for checking multiple files.
Using statix fix as a workaround: While statix check might not directly support multiple files, the statix fix command does! This is an interesting workaround. Running statix fix on multiple files not only checks them but also attempts to automatically fix any style issues. If you're mainly interested in checking the files and don't mind the auto-fixing (or even prefer it!), this could be a viable option.
```
statix fix default.nix pkgs/st/default.nix
```
Keep in mind that statix fix will modify your files, so it's crucial to have a backup or use version control to revert changes if needed. This method is particularly useful if you want to enforce consistent styling across your project and are comfortable with automated fixes.

Discussing the Best Approach

Which of these approaches is the best? Well, it depends on your specific needs and preferences. The for loop is simple and easy to understand, but it can be verbose for a large number of files. The find and xargs approach is more concise, but it can be harder to read and debug. The wrapper script provides a clean and reusable solution, but it requires creating a separate file.

Using statix fix as a workaround is interesting because it addresses the checking aspect while also offering auto-formatting. This can be a huge time-saver, especially if you want to enforce a consistent style throughout your project. However, the key here is to ensure you're comfortable with the automated fixes. Always back up your work or use version control before running statix fix!

Feature Request: Multiple File Support in `statix check`

It's worth considering whether this limitation should be addressed in statix itself. Perhaps a feature request to support multiple file arguments in statix check would be beneficial. This would simplify the process of checking multiple files and make the tool more versatile. If you feel strongly about this, consider opening an issue or discussion on the statix project's issue tracker.

Diving Deeper into the Technical Aspects

Now, let's get a bit more technical and discuss some underlying aspects that might explain why statix check behaves the way it does. Understanding these can help us appreciate the tool's design and make better decisions about how to use it.

First, consider the parsing and processing stages within statix. When you run statix check on a directory, the tool likely uses directory traversal algorithms to find all relevant files. It then processes each file individually, applying its checks and rules. This approach allows for efficient handling of large projects, as the tool can process files in batches or even in parallel.

However, when you provide multiple file paths as separate arguments, statix might not have a clear way to manage this input. It would need to parse these arguments, potentially create a list of files, and then iterate over this list to perform the checks. This adds complexity to the argument parsing and processing logic.

Another factor could be the way statix handles configuration and rule sets. Different files or directories might require different configurations or rule sets. If statix check accepted multiple file arguments, it would need a mechanism to associate the correct configuration with each file. This could involve complex logic for configuration resolution and application.

The Importance of Code Style and Consistency

Before we wrap up, let's take a moment to emphasize the importance of code style and consistency. Tools like statix play a crucial role in maintaining these aspects of your codebase. Consistent code style makes your code easier to read, understand, and maintain. It also reduces the cognitive load for developers, allowing them to focus on the logic and functionality of the code rather than getting bogged down in stylistic inconsistencies.

By using statix (or similar tools) regularly, you can catch style issues early in the development process and prevent them from becoming major problems. This can save you time and effort in the long run, as well as improve the overall quality of your codebase.

Conclusion: Checking Multiple Files with `statix`

Alright, guys! We've covered a lot of ground in this discussion. We've explored the issue of running statix check on multiple files, discussed potential solutions and workarounds, and even delved into some technical aspects. We've seen that while statix check doesn't directly support multiple file arguments, there are several ways to achieve the desired functionality.

Whether you choose to use a for loop, a wrapper script, or the statix fix workaround, the key is to find an approach that works well for your specific needs and workflow. And remember, maintaining consistent code style is crucial for the health and maintainability of your projects.

If you've got any other ideas or solutions, feel free to share them in the comments below. Let's keep the discussion going and help each other become better Nix code wranglers!

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

statix check doesn't directly support multiple file arguments.
You can use for loops, wrapper scripts, or statix fix as workarounds.
Consider creating a feature request for multiple file support in statix check.
Consistent code style is essential for maintainable projects.
Don't forget the power of statix fix for auto-formatting, but use it with caution!

Thanks for joining the discussion, and happy coding!